Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A centralized flash memory module comprising: two or more flash memory components, each of the two or more flash memory components storing Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) firmware; a flash memory management controller (FMMC) configured to connect to a rack management device, wherein the rack management device is separate from the centralized flash memory module within a rack device; and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) configured to connect the FMMC to the two or more flash memory components and to connect the two or more flash memory components to at least one server device within the rack device, wherein the at least one server device is separate from the centralized flash memory module within the rack device.
This invention relates to computer hardware and specifically addresses the management and storage of BIOS firmware in a server rack environment. The problem solved is the efficient and centralized management of BIOS firmware across multiple server devices within a rack, reducing redundancy and simplifying updates. The described system is a centralized flash memory module designed for use within a rack device. This module contains at least two flash memory components, each capable of storing Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) firmware. A flash memory management controller (FMMC) is a key component, designed to interface with a separate rack management device. This rack management device is physically distinct from the centralized flash memory module but resides within the same rack device. Furthermore, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) plays a crucial role in connecting these components. The CPLD is configured to link the FMMC to the flash memory components, enabling the FMMC to manage the firmware stored within them. Additionally, the CPLD connects the flash memory components to at least one server device within the rack device. Importantly, these server devices are also physically separate from the centralized flash memory module itself. This architecture allows for a single, centralized location for BIOS firmware storage and management, accessible by multiple server devices within the rack.
2. The centralized flash memory module of claim 1 , further comprising a non-volatile storage device configured to store a routing table that includes a topology of the two or more flash memory components and the at least one server device.
3. The centralized flash memory module of claim 2 , wherein the FMMC is configured to send the routing table to the rack management device.
A centralized flash memory module (FMMC) is used in data storage systems to manage and route data efficiently across multiple storage devices. The module includes a routing table that maps data storage locations and optimizes data access paths. A key challenge in such systems is ensuring that the routing table is accessible to other components, such as rack management devices, which oversee system operations and maintenance. The FMMC is configured to transmit the routing table to the rack management device, enabling centralized monitoring, diagnostics, and data routing adjustments. This ensures that the rack management device can dynamically update routing paths, balance workloads, and maintain system performance. The FMMC may also include additional features, such as error detection and correction mechanisms, to enhance data integrity and reliability. By integrating the routing table with the rack management device, the system improves scalability and fault tolerance, allowing for seamless data management across distributed storage environments. This solution is particularly useful in large-scale data centers where efficient data routing and system monitoring are critical.
4. The centralized flash memory module of claim 3 , wherein each of the two or more flash memory components comprises a golden image for recovery purposes.
5. The centralized flash memory module of claim 1 , wherein the two or more flash memory components are not in-system writable.
A centralized flash memory module is designed to provide secure and reliable storage for systems requiring high data integrity. The module includes multiple flash memory components that are interconnected to form a unified storage system. The key feature of this module is that the flash memory components are not writable while installed in the system. This means that once the data is written to the flash memory components, it cannot be modified or erased in-system, ensuring data integrity and preventing unauthorized alterations. The module may also include error correction mechanisms to detect and correct data errors, further enhancing reliability. The flash memory components may be arranged in a redundant configuration to improve fault tolerance, allowing the system to continue operating even if one or more components fail. The module may also include a controller that manages data access and ensures that the flash memory components are not writable in-system. This design is particularly useful in applications where data security and integrity are critical, such as in embedded systems, industrial control systems, or secure storage devices.
6. A server system comprising: at least one rack device housing a plurality of server devices; a rack management device stored on the at least one rack device; and at least one centralized flash memory module separate from and connected to each of the plurality of server devices, the centralized flash memory module comprising: two or more flash memory components, each of the two or more flash memory components storing Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) firmware; a flash memory management controller (FMMC) configured to connect to the rack management device; and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) configured to connect the FMMC to the two or more flash memory components and to connect the two or more flash memory components to at least one server device within the at least one rack device, wherein the at least one server device is separate from the at least one centralized flash memory module within the rack device.
7. The server system of claim 6 , wherein the centralized flash memory module is located on the at least one rack device.
8. The server system of claim 6 , the centralized flash memory module further comprising a non-volatile storage device configured to store a routing table that includes a topology of the two or more flash components and the at least one server device.
9. The server system of claim 8 , wherein the FMMC is configured to send the routing table to the rack management device.
A server system includes a fabric management and monitoring controller (FMMC) that manages and monitors network traffic within a data center. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently routing data packets between servers and storage devices in a high-density computing environment, where traditional routing methods may suffer from latency, congestion, or scalability issues. The FMMC dynamically generates and updates a routing table to optimize traffic flow, ensuring low-latency communication and efficient resource utilization. The routing table contains entries that map destination addresses to corresponding network paths, allowing the system to direct packets along the most efficient routes. The FMMC also monitors network performance metrics, such as bandwidth usage and latency, to detect congestion or failures and adjust routing accordingly. In this configuration, the FMMC is further designed to transmit the routing table to a rack management device, which may use this information to coordinate server and storage operations, enforce policies, or provide visibility into network traffic patterns. This integration enhances overall system efficiency by aligning routing decisions with higher-level management functions. The system is particularly useful in large-scale data centers where real-time traffic optimization is critical for performance and reliability.
10. The server system of claim 6 , wherein each of the two or more flash memory components comprises a golden image for recovery purposes.
11. The server system of claim 6 , wherein the centralized flash memory module is located in a cloud based server device.
12. The server system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the two or more flash memory components comprises a golden image for recovery purposes for two or more of the at least one rack device.
A server system is designed to manage and recover data across multiple rack devices in a data center or distributed computing environment. The system addresses the challenge of ensuring data integrity and rapid recovery in case of hardware failures or data corruption. The system includes a plurality of flash memory components distributed across at least one rack device, where these components store data and system configurations. At least one of the flash memory components contains a golden image, which is a pre-configured, error-free version of the system or application software. This golden image serves as a recovery mechanism for two or more rack devices, allowing them to restore their operational state quickly in the event of a failure. The system may also include additional features such as data synchronization, redundancy checks, and automated recovery processes to enhance reliability. The use of a centralized golden image reduces downtime and ensures consistency across multiple devices, improving overall system resilience.
13. A method of updating a flash Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) firmware image of two or more flash memory components, the method comprising: validating the flash BIOS firmware image; updating a first flash BIOS firmware image of a first one of the two or more flash memory components to replace a the first flash BIOS firmware image with the validated flash BIOS firmware image, the two or more flash memory components are stored in a centralized flash memory module; upon determining success of the first updating, updating a second flash BIOS firmware image of a second one of the two or more flash memory components to replace a the second flash BIOS firmware image with the validated flash BIOS firmware image, the second flash BIOS firmware image is associated with a golden flash BIOS image; identifying, using a flash memory management controller, at least one flash memory component that successfully replaced the second flash BIOS firmware image; and powering on at least one server device connected to the at least one flash memory component stored in the centralized flash memory module.
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February 16, 2021
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